As a parent, few decisions are as tricky as deciding whether to keep your child home from school or daycare. You want them to stay on top of their studies and spend time with friends, but sending a sick child into a classroom can spread illness quickly, especially during cold and flu season.
It’s a decision that affects your child, their classmates, and teachers, so knowing the right time to keep them home is important for everyone’s health.
Signs It’s Time to Stay Home
Some symptoms make the decision clear-cut:
- Fever: A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is a strong sign to keep your child home. Pediatricians recommend waiting until your child is fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication before sending them back to school.
- Vomiting or Diarrhea: These symptoms often indicate contagious illnesses, and children should stay home for at least 24 hours after the last episode.
- Severe Sore Throat or Persistent Cough: If your child struggles to speak, eat, or sleep due to throat pain or coughing fits, rest and recovery at home are best.
- Extreme Fatigue or Behavioral Changes: Illness often shows up as low energy, irritability, or unusual clinginess, signals that their body needs extra rest.
Why Keeping Your Child Home Matters
Beyond your child’s comfort, keeping them home helps prevent illness from spreading through classrooms, buses, and after-school programs. It also allows them to fully recover, reducing the risk of complications or prolonged illness.
Helping Kids Recover at Home
While they’re home sick, focus on:
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- Hydration: Offer water, soups, or electrolyte drinks to prevent dehydration.
- Nutrition: Provide easy-to-digest foods like bananas, applesauce, rice, or toast when they’re ready to eat.
- Rest: Create a quiet, comfortable space with books, puzzles, or shows to keep them entertained while resting.
- Symptom Relief: Follow healthcare provider recommendations for fever reducers, saline sprays, or humidifiers as appropriate.
- If symptoms persist or worsen, get tested.
Knowing When It’s Safe to Return
Children can typically return to school when they’ve been symptom-free for at least 24 hours, have regained their energy and appetite, and can participate in daily activities comfortably.
More Guidance for Parents
Families Fighting Flu offers a variety of resources, from downloadable toolkits to educational posters, that help parents make informed decisions about illness and recovery. Visit the Resources page to access materials designed to keep families healthy during flu season and beyond.